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All garden vegetables need water sometimes, most often during the germination and early growth stages. Some vegetables, especially cool-season crops like broccoli (Brassica oleracea), require ample water over the entire period from germination through harvest. Other vegetables need consistent watering during early growth, flowering and fruit-setting, but much less water as the fruits develop. These are the crops that are easiest to maintain under drought or permanently dry conditions. Both thirsty and drought-tolerant plants benefit from water-wise cultural practices.

Nightshade Family

The nightshade family (Solanaceae) contains many vegetable garden favorites. Among them are many plants that thrive in low-water conditions. Plants needing regular watering from germination through flowering and fruiting, but much less water as the fruits develop, include tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, but usually grown as annuals, and all kinds of peppers (Capsicum annuum) and eggplant (Solanum melongena var. esculentum), perennial in tropical areas, but grown as annuals. Too much water may cause problems like blossom end rot, which ruins the fruits. Minimal water, on the other hand, concentrates the flavor of the mature fruit.

Squash Family

Vining crops like annual cucumber (Cucumis sativus) tolerate dry conditions, needing consistent water during the flowering and fruit-setting period. Other members of the cucumber/squash family (Cucurbitaceae) with the same requirements include the many varieties of annual fall/winter squashes. These include Hubbard and butternut squash as well as pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata varieties). Annual summer squashes also thrive with relatively little moisture after flowering and fruit set. These include summer, crookneck and zucchini squashes Cucurbita pepo varieties).

Peas and Asparagus

Garden or English peas (Pisum sativum) are annuals and, generally, cool-season crops, developing early in the growing season when tempartures are likely to be cooler and moisture more abundant in the soil and as rain. They require more water than either cucurbits or nightshade family members, but not as much as crops like broccoli. Established English pea plants need consistent watering during the pod-filling stage, after pods have developed and the peas inside are maturing. Another cool-season crop, edible asparagus varieties, like "Jersey Knight" (Aparagus officinalis "Jersey Night"), need the more water during the spear production phase.

Cultural Considerations

When using drought-tolerant plants in the vegetable garden, it is still important to use good, water-wise cultural practices. This includes amending the soil with large amounts of organic material at planting time. Once the plants are in, mulch with several inches of organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and keep down weeds that rob desirable plants of water. Irrigate in ways that provide maximum water to plant roots and limit waste by evaporation. Soaker hoses, which can be attached to programmable timers, provide slow, steady irrigation if and when it is needed.

About the Author

Elisabeth Ginsburg, a writer with over 20 years' experience, earned an M.A. from Northwestern University and has done advanced study in horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden. Her work has been published in the "New York Times," "Christian Science Monitor," "Horticulture Magazine" and other national and regional publications.